Kemal Ataturk and the Turkish Orthodox Church

Abstract

This article is devoted to the study of the formation of a new religious organization in Turkey called the Independent Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate, which arose in the 20-s of the XX century. This is a little-known non-canonical schismatic structure, formed in view of the sentiments of that time in the state. In its purpose and actions, it resembles the renovationist split in the Soviet Union. Its founder was the priest of the Patriarchate of Constantinople Pavel Karakissaridis. From the very beginning this ecclesiastical jurisdiction was supported by Kemal Atatürk, the President of Turkey, after whose death the state support was significantly curtailed because the idea of the national church did not live up to the political expectations of the government. Despite all efforts and loud slogans, this church failed to find a lot of adherents. Perhaps its fate would have been different if it had not been for the exchange of populations according to the Lausanne Peace Treaty. Today the Turkish Church is small in number and mainly consists of members of the family of its founder. There are three churches under its jurisdiction which were previously taken away from the Patriarchate of Constantinople. To this day it is not recognized by any of the Orthodox Churches, but it is trying in every possible way to establish itself among world Christianity.